STARCRAFT II:

Rise of the Claymore

Dominion Flagship Norad III: Low Orbit over planet Talderan: 14:30 Shipboard Time.

"General, we have reached Talderan," the Norad III Adjutant reported as Warfield looked out the window at the world.

"I want all known information about this planet." General Warfield demanded of the Adjutant.

"Sir, this world is an underdeveloped world possessing technology levels of approximately medieval era Earth. Unidentified alien organisms, dubbed by the local population as Yoma have become an increasing problem on planet. Data shows that these Yoma are artificially created creatures. The unnamed organization responsible for their creation has also created the monsters only counter-measure, warrior women known to the local population as Claymore. Sources suggest that these Claymore may be useful in combating Zerg forces which is why we have come here."

"Patch me through to the team who will be performing this operation," Warfield ordered.

"As you wish, General," the Adjutant replied as a communication screen flipped on.

"This is Nova," the woman who appeared on screen declared. She had short blonde hair which she wore a visor over. Her body was covered by a skin tight white suit which was covered with thick grey armor. The standard load-out of a high ranking, female, Dominion Ghost.

"Now, Nova, I know that I do not have to stress that vitality of this operation. You must bring back one of these Claymore alive, do you understand?"

"Copy, General. I'll bring back one of them alive," Nova declared.

"Good, remember that this is a sensitive operation. Restrain from the use of lethal force if at all possible," General Warfield ordered.

"Got it. Stealth mission. Don't worry General; we'll take care of everything. Nova out."

"I hope so," Warfield declared walking away from the control panel and exiting the BattleCruiser's control room.

"You heard him boys, let's get this over with," Nova ordered as a team of ten Dominion Ghosts boardered a Special Ops Dropship.

Planet Talderan: 14:50 Planet Time.

"Hey! Clare! Wait up!" Raki called, "what's the hurry?"

"Huh, oh sorry Raki," Clare replied looking over her shoulder at her young companion, "I was distracted that's all."

"You've been distracted a lot lately. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," Clare replied simply turning and facing her young companion. Her silver eyes looked unusually tired, especially for a Claymore. Raki knew something was wrong, but decided it was best not to ask.

"I'm… a little bit hungry," Clare revealed turning away again, "let's rest here. She removed the thick traveling cloak she had been wearing revealing her skin tight, black body suit which she had worn since her days as a rebel Claymore. Three years had passed since their final battle with the Organization. Since then Clare and Raki had been traveling together, exterminating the planets remaining Yoma. Despite the fact that the Organization had been overthrown, the number of Yoma inhabiting their island hadn't gone down at all. Clare often found herself wondering just how many the Organization had created before it had toppeled.

"Alright, wait here. I'll go find us something to eat," Raki declared heading out into the forest. Clare pulled out her Claymore and stuck it into the ground, then sat down, leaning against the sword to rest. She had been unusually tired as of late. At first she had thought that something had begun to change about her Yoma powers, but a stop in Rabona to speak with Galatea had put that fear to rest. This was something else. Something was wrong, but she had no way of knowing what.

Just outside of the clearing where Clare was resting, Nova kneeled behind a tree looking out at her target. One of the Ghosts she had brought with her was following the boy, making sure he didn't return while she and the other nine scoped out their target.

"Silver eyes and blonde hair," Nova said, "she's one of them. Alright boys, let's take her. Remember, we need her alive so use stun rounds, and be careful. We don't know what these Claymore are capable of so stay out of sight," Nova ordered loading a shell into her Sniper Rifle. Shouldering her weapon she aimed out until her crosshairs were pointing at the center of Clare's chest. "Fire!" she ordered pulling the trigger.

….

Clare's sharp ears caught Nova's command and in a flash her sword was in her hand. Holding it over her chest she deflected Nova's shot then sprung towards the nearest foe. The Ghost was caught completely unaware as the Claymore sliced through his torso cleaving him in half. Clare winced as several shots from the remaining Ghosts struck her in the back and knocked her to her knees. Recovering quickly, Clare jumped back towards two Ghosts.

"Engage Cloaking!" Nova ordered as all 8 remaining Ghosts suddenly disappeared from sight. Clare stopped short as they vanished from sight and began listening for them. Three more shells pelted her from behind knocking her over again as the Ghosts began to open fire from all directions. Clare was powerless as her arms went numb and her sword fell from her grip. She rolled onto her back as Nova suddenly appeared above her.

"Good night," Nova declared pointing the sniper rifle at Clare's chest and pulling the trigger. A burst of electricity shot through the Claymore's body and she lost consciousness. "We've got her," Nova said into a radio, "come pick us up!"

"Leave Clare alone!" a man's voice suddenly called! Raki burst out of the trees and charged at Nova his broadsword raised. Suddenly, his entire body went limp and he fell forward landing at Nova's feet. A stun dart stuck from his back.

"Sorry ma'am, he knew I was following him somehow and slipped away," a Ghost declared disengaging his cloak, "I barely caught up with him."

"Leave him here," Nova ordered, "our orders were to grab her. Shackle her and get her ready for transport."

"Yes ma'am," the Ghosts responded as they went to work shackling Clare's arms and legs with thick bonds that were usually used for shackling Ultralisks. A few minutes later, a tightly bound and still unconscious Clare was loaded into a Special Ops Dropship and was being taken aboard the Norad III.